Nancy Jo (Titus) Johnson

November 13, 1937 - January 19, 2023

Nancy Jo Johnson died peacefully on January 19, 2023, in Naples, Florida, at the age of 85.

She was born November 13, 1937, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, to L.O. “Dick” and Bea Titus. Nancy grew up in South Bend where she attended Grace United Methodist Church with her parents, who helped build the church, and her five older siblings. The church and its youth programs helped build and shape her life. At a young age, her mom and sister Peggy inspired her lifelong love of music. They frequently sang show tunes and hymns around the house. Nancy was also active in choir, school shows, and marching band. She passed her love of music to her children and grandchildren. When dementia overtook her in later years, she still knew the words to all her beloved songs.

Nancy Jo Titus earned degrees from Memorial School of Nursing (RN), and Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington (BS) where she was a member of The Singing Hoosiers choral group and Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

After graduating from IU, Nancy felt called to serve in the mission field. From 1962 to 1964, she lived and taught nursing with the staff of the United Christian Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. While she was a lifelong Methodist, the nuns of the Holy Cross remained beloved friends.

Upon returning to the U.S., Nancy went to the University of Colorado at Boulder to earn her Masters in Nursing. Over her teaching career, she trained future nurses at St. Joseph’s and Memorial hospitals in South Bend; the United Christian Hospital in Lahore; Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana; and Mounds Midway Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Later, she applied her teaching gifts to continuing ed courses and served as a public school nurse.

In 1970, Nancy’s life shifted when her pastor in Muncie introduced her to a young widower, Dick Johnson, who attended the church with his three young children. Quickly hooked by a delight in life that matched her own, and never one to turn from a challenge, she accepted his invitation to dinner and never looked back! Married in 1972 in South Bend, they welcomed son Stuart a year later. The family moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and began a journey with 3M Company that took them to homes in Sunningdale, England, and Waterloo, Belgium, and adventures throughout Europe.

Upon returning to Minnesota, and with her children launched into fulfilling lives of their own, Nancy once again heard God’s call to service and in 1998 became Reverend Johnson. She was ordained a Deacon in the United Methodist church as one of the historic first classes of this new order. She served churches in Minnesota and New Hampshire as a Parish Nurse. In her final months, she extended this ministry to residents of her memory care unit.

Nancy was a member of the PEO sisterhood for over 50 years and an active member of the Copperleaf Golf Club in Bonita Springs, Florida, for over 20 years.

Nancy Jo never met a person she didn’t like, whether the relationship lasted 15 minutes or 50+ years. She could turn on a dime from serious lecturer to irrepressible imp. As a grandmother, she taught at least one five-year-old a naughty version of I’m a Little Teapot, which made quite an impact in kindergarten show and tell. She kept her golf buddies in stitches with her great sense of humor. A lifelong Notre Dame football fan, she could throw a spiral that was the envy of any teenage boy. (Go, Irish!)

Rev. Nancy Jo Johnson is predeceased by her parents and four of her siblings (Dr. Jack Titus, Bob Titus, Marianna Titus, and Peggy Munson). Survivors include her beloved husband Richard “Dick” Johnson of Estero, Florida; sister Carol Hollahan, South Bend; children Karen (Jeff) Munson, Topsham, Maine; Susan (Tim) Rink, Ft. Myers, Florida; Don (Adrienne) Johnson, Divide, Colorado; and Stuart Johnson, Woodbury, Minnesota. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and dozens of beloved nieces and nephews whose stories could fill volumes.

Nancy’s legacy endures in hundreds of nurses she trained in the U.S. and Pakistan, the churches whose caring ministries are stronger for her leadership, her loving family, and the innumerable friends she delighted with her sense of fun and sustained with her deep compassion. She reminds us all to eat our bananas and that we still owe her a Dairy Queen!

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 2 – 4:00 p.m. at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend, with an opportunity to share and tell the story of Nancy’s life at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting one of Nancy’s favorite causes - the Salvation Army, Harry Chapin Food Bank, or Habitat for Humanity.

Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.

01.25.2023  djb

https://www.shikanyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Nancy-Johnson-72/#!/TributeWall